Collapsible boat



1942- v c. .l. HAMLIN, JR" 2,271,338

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed Feb. 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 30 INVENTOR ATTO NEYS trapezoidal in shape.

Patented Jan. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,271,338 1 I COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Chauncey J. Hamlin, Jr.,' Buffalo, N. Y. Application February 24, 1941, Serial No. 380,168

7 Claims. I (or. 9-2) This invention relates to collapsible boats.

An object of this invention is to providea collapisble boat in which the. boat proper, except for braces, gunwales, oarlocks, fastenings, and a seat, is in one piece. These auxiliary parts, being relatively small, can be conveniently carried in a single small bundle. It is another object to provide such a boat made out of relatively rigid and strong material, such as plywood or sheet metal. It is a further object to provide such a boat in which the boat proper can be folded into a compact bundle. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

These objects are accomplished by means of the herein described invention, which will be more easily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the boat in completely set up position, with parts broken away for clearness in illustration. Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the boat in partially folded position. Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, on a larger-scale, along the line 3--3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a fragmentary view on the same scale as Figure 3, along the line 4-4 of Figure 1, with the deck section omitted. Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts broken away for clearness in illustration, and also on the same scale as Figure 3, from the underside of the boat, with the sides of the boat in completely folded position. Figure 6 is a view taken along the line 66 of Figure 5, on astill larger scale, with the bottom of the boat in partially folded position. Figure 7 is a fragmentary top view of a portion of the center of the boat, partly in section, and taken along the line I'I of Figure 8. Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, th hull of the boat consists of four substantially rectangular sections II, I2, I3 and I4, hingedly connected to each other, and eight sections I6, I6, IT, IT, I8, I8, I9, IS, the four sections I6, I6, I9, I9 being substantially triangular in shape, and the four sections II, II, I8, I8 being substantially The sections I2 andI3 lie in a horizontal plane and constitute the central portion of the bottom of the boat; sections I I and I I slant upwards and constitute the end portions of the bottom of the boat. Four of the sections III, II, I8 and I9 are hingedly connected to each other and to the lateral edges on one side of the sections II, I2, I3 and I4, respectively; the other four sections I6, [1, I8 and I9 are similarly connected to the opposite lateral edges of sections II, I2,-I3 and I4. Hingedly connected to the end sections I I and I4 are deck members or sections I0 and I5. In order toprovide for ease in folding, the hinges between successive sections I0, II, I2, I3, I4 and I5 are on opposite surfaces of such sections. Thus, the hinges 20 between sections I0 and I I areon the outer or water-contacting side of the hull, the hinges 2| between sections II and I2 on the inside, the hinges 22 between sections I2' and I3 on the outside, the hinges ZI between sections I3 and I4 ,on the inside, and the hinges 20 between sections I4 and I5 on the outside.

As the boat is approximately symmetrical, the remainder of the description, for the sake of simplicity and in order to'avoid repetition, will be with reference to only one end and one side of the boat, insofar as is possible. The only exception to this is the provision of oarlocks and a seat, which are normally not provided at both ends of the boat. .It is also possible to construct a modified form of boat in which the novel structure described herein is used at only one end of the boat, while the opposite end. may be square, for example to provide for an outboard motor.

The side'sections I6, I'I, I8 and I9, as stated above, are hingedly connected to sections II, I2, I3 and I4, these hinges 23 being on the inside of the boat. These sections are also, as stated above, hingedly connected to each other, the hinges 24 between I6 and I! and between I8 and I9 being on the outside of the boat, and the hinges 25-between I1 and I8 being on the inside of the boat.

In completely set up position, as shown in Figure 1, the top edge 26 of the'sections Iii, l1, l8

and I9 is in a substantially straight line, so that the four sections are substantially disposed in a single plane. The bottom edge 21, on the other hand, is a broken line, so that the top edges 26 of each of the sections I6, I'I, I8 and I9 must'be shorter than the bottom edges. I have found that the angle formed by th bottomedge 21 at the juncturebetween sections I6 and I! should be approximately bisected by the juncture line between said sections I6 andI'I. By this means, the entire assemblage can be folded together easily and quickly without bucklin'gf It willbe seen that, by this structure, adjacent sections are permanently fastened together, although foldable upon each other.

Wherever the joints between such foldable sections are in contact with water, such joints are made permanently water-tight by providing strips of flexible water-proof water-impermeable material 23, 29, 30 along the joints (see Figures 3 and. 4) These strips are adhered along the edges of adjacent sections by any convenient means, such as a suitable cement, or screws or nails. In the drawings, the strips 28, 29 and 30 are held in place by means of two sheet metal strips 3| and screws 32. In many cases, however, a cement preferably is employed. The strips 28, 29, 30 themselves may be made of rubber, rubberized fabric, reinforced rubber, neoprene, etc. The strips are preferably on the inside of the boat, in order to minimize wear. Five such strips are required, two strips 28 each on the inside of the two bottom lateral edges 21, one strip 29 along the joint Iii-ll: ll-l2: I6ll, one similar strip 29 along the joint I8|9: l3-l4: 18-!9, and one strip 30 along the joint ll-IS: l2|3: ll--l8. Strips 28 need only be suificiently wide (e. g. the width of the hinges) to secure the proper support on the adjacent sections, with only a slight gap between such sections. Strips 29 and 30, however, are preferably wider than this and are fastened to the sections outside of the hinges. The reason for this is that hinges 25 and 2| are not mounted directly on sections ll, l2, l3, l4, I1 and I8, but on auxiliary strips, for reasons hereinafter explained. It would be impractical to mount strips 29 and 30 directly on these auxiliary strips.

When in folded position, it will be noted that side sections ll and i3 lie directly over bottom sections I2 and !3. When the two bottom sections 42 and 53 are folded upon each other (see Figure 6), it will be noted that hinges 25 and 22 tend to fold together. distortion and breakage, hinges 25 and 22 should lie in substantially the same plane when in the positions shown in Figures and 6. This is accomplished by mounting hinges 25 on auxiliary strips 33, of a thickness greater than the thickness of sections i2 or E3, to provide room for strips 30 and 3!. This structure is shown in Figure 6. A cut-out portion 34 of sections 12 and 13, into which hinges 25, etc., fit, completes this assemblage.

When sections 13 and [4 are folded together, it will be noted that sections it and I9 lie between them (see Figure 2). In order to provide room for sections l8 and it, hinges 2! are mounted on auxiliary strips which are thicker than sections is and It, to provide room for strips 29 and 3|. This structure is shown in Figure 4.

Deck members is and i5 may be provided with channel irons 38 which fit over the top edges of sections it and 59, respectively. Angle irons 3T,

permanently attached to sections Ill and I5, pro- In order to prevent is an angle iron 49 provided with a hole which is adapted. to fit over bolt 40 and over struts 42. Member 46 has a portion 50 near angle iron 49 cut out in order to provide a place for two of the struts 42. A nut 51 over angle iron 49 holds the entire assemblage together. Seat member 41 is detachably fastened to sections it by means of suitable fastenings 52.

Gunwale strips 53 and 5 1 are attached along the outside of edges 26 by means of suitable fastenings 55. Gunwale strips 53 are provided with oarlocks 56.

When in completely set-up position, as shown in Figure 1, the detachable parts, i. e. struts 42, seat 45, and gunwales 53 and 54, contribute strength and rigidity to the boat, as do also deck sections l0 and [5, which are partially detachable. The fastenings 38, 44, 52, 55, and also 4t5l, may consist of bolts and wing nuts, as shown, or may consist of any suitable type of quick-acting fastening available on the market.

vide means for detachably fastening sections l0 and I5 to sections l6 and 19 respectively by means of suitable fastenings 38.

Near the center of the boat, and attached to the inner edge of section I2, is a plate 39 provided with an upstanding bolt tfi. This plate is permanently attached to section l2 by any convenient means, such as nuts and bolts 4!.

Four detachable struts or braces 42 have at their ends metal fittings 43 with suitable holes in them. These holes, at one end, are adapted to fit over bolt '40, and at their opposite ends are adapted to be attached to corners of sections it] and I5 by suitable fastenings 44.

A seat 45 is also detachable from the rest of the boat, and consists of an upstanding supporting member t6 and a horizontalseat member 4'! hingedly connected together by means of hinges 543. Near the bottom edge of member 46 The boat itself may be constructed of plywood, or sheet metal, or other rigid material, but is preferably constructed of plywood.

In actual operation, the oarsman sits on seat member 4'1, while other passengers may sit on the same seat, or on deck sections H1 and 15, provided they are sufficiently strong. The struts 42 do not substantially interfere with the comfort of the oarsman or passengers.

In folded condition, the main part of the boat forms a single compact bundle. The boat described herein folds into a bundle approximately 3 feet long (the width of the boat), 2 feet wide, and less than 6 inches thick, with plywood inch thick. Seat 45, struts 42, gunwales 53 and 54, and the fastenings may be conveniently carried in a second smaller bundle. Both bundles may be easily stored in the back of an automobile. When ready to be operated, the entire boat may be set up in an exceedingly short time.

Although the hinges are described as being on the inside or the outside of the boat, it will be understood that the important factor is actually the position of the hinge pins, or axes ofthe hinges. Thus, .T -shaped hinges might be used in which the horizontal stroke of the T is divided in the middle and on the inside of the boat, while the vertical stroke is of double thickness and passes through the boat, the pin or axis being at the bottom of the vertical stroke and on the outside of the boat.

As many other variations are possible within the scope of this invention, it is not intended to be limited except as defined by the appended claims.

I-claim;

l. A collapsible boat comprising a rectangular central bottom section, a slanting bottom section permanently and hingedly connected to said central section, trapeozidal sections permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edges of said central section, and triangular sections permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edges ofv said-slanting section and to said trapezoidal sections, said trapezoidal and triangular sections comprising the sides of the boat.

2. A collapsible boat comprising a rectangular central bottom section, a rectangular slanting bottom section permanently and hingedly connected to said central section, trapezoidal sec tions permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edges of said central section, and triangular sections permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edge of said slanting secjacent trapezoidal sections, and triangular sections permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edges of said slanting sections and to said trapezoidal sections, said trapezoidal and triangular sections comprising the sides of the boat.

4. A'collapsible boat comprising two rectangular central bottom sections permanently and hingedly connected together, two rectangular slanting bottom sections, each permanently and hingedly connected to one of said central sections, trapezoidal sections permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edges of said central sections and permanently and hingedly connected to their adjacent trapezoidal sections, and triangular sections permanently and hingedly connected to said slanting sections and to said trapezoidal sections, said trapezoidal and triangular sections comprising the sides of the boat,

the sections of each of said sides being disposed in a substantially single plane.

5. A collapsible boat comprising two rectangular central bottom sections permanently and hingedly connected together, two rectangular slanting bottom sections each permanently and hingedly connected to one of said central sections, two rectangular deck sections each permanently and hingedly connected to one of said slanting sections, trapezoidal'side sections permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edges of said central sections and permanently and lar central bottom sections permanently and hingedly connected together, two rectangular slanting bottom sections each permanently and hingedly connected to one of said central sections, two rectangular deck sections each permanently and hingedly connected to one of'said slanting sections, trapezoidal side sections permanently and hingedly connected to the lateral edges of said central sections and permanently and hingedly connected to their adjacent trapezoidal sections, triangular side sections permanently and hingedly connected to said slanting sections and to said trapezoidal sections, said trapezoidal and triangular sections comprising the sides of the boat, the sections of each of said sides being disposed in a substantially single plane, struts detachably connecting said deck sections to the bottom of the boat, a seat detachably connected to the bottom of the boat and to said trapezoidal sections, and gunwales detachably connected to said trapezoidal sections.

7. A collapsible boat'having bottom sections, side sections, hinges connecting said bottom sections to said side sections and enabling said side sections to fold upon said bottom sections, hinges connecting said side sections together having their axes on the outer sides of said side sections.

CHAUNCEY J. HAMLIN, JR. 

